Orange-Glazed Christmas Bread

Using frozen bread dough, which can be found in the frozen-food section of many supermarkets, saves both mixing and rising times.

Level:
Moderate

Serves:
12

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Ingredients

Bread:

2 package Frozen White Bread Dough

1 large egg

½ c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tbsp. butter

Orange Glaze:

1¼ c. confectioners' sugar

2 tbsp. grated orange rind

3 tbsp. fresh orange juice

Directions

Bread: Place frozen dough in a large oiled bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Let dough rest in warm place, away from drafts, until doubled in size -- several hours. Punch dough down and divide into 23 walnut-size balls on a lightly floured surface.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large nonstick baking sheet. Arrange balls of dough on baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree: 2 balls for the "trunk," 6 across for the bottom row of "branches," then 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 at the top, allowing balls to touch one another. Brush tree-shaped dough with egg and allow to rise until doubled in size -- 20 to 25 minutes.